Disclaimer: WE do not own Twilight. WE do own DTE, but that's only because HE lets us own him. Babe, are you sure we own DTE?Yes! Edward told me I owned him and I own you too. What about Jacob?MINE!

Well hi guys. Yes, you are not mistaken, it is, in fact Sunday and we are just now updating. But we do have good reason. We have just gotten a highly skilled beta and do to mine and Hayden's busy schedules, we first finished the chapter on Friday, and the poor woman had to proof it. So now we hope to bring you much better quality in our writing as well as learn some things for ourselves.

To the TGIF Gang. Even though it's Sunday, we party like its Friday!

This chapter is dedicated to Kathy, our new beta. She is a loving woman and one that completely inspires me to live and I thank her for that. She is very talented in many aspects, one of which is finding our mistakes…lol. But Hayden and I would both like to thank you for the effort you put into proofing a silly little story (even though you say you enjoy it). Many thanks!

With that being said, this could quite possibly be like my shortest A/N ever…hmmm…that's terribly frightening. Perhaps I should just sit here and ramble on about…bark? Bark. It grows on trees and doggies make that sound. And it's brown and rough and….you know what, sweetheart? I think you can just end you're A/N. Oh? Are you sure? It's kinda short. It's fine, Punkin. Hmmm…okay. Well then, onto Hayden.

Yes it's late. I'm aware, now hush and read on.

A special thanks to our new BETA, she's super awesome you guys… I know, you're jealous and you want her penname…kathrynwitte. Kathy, you rock my un-socked feet. And if you correct the grammar in my AN…Well, you'll see…

So, last night… I was up until 4 A.M. and I was rudely awoken this morning to people yelling stupid things. RAWR! The good news though, is that Ash and I managed to wake at the exact same time. I was in the process of texting her, when I got a text. :D

I'm hoping this chapter will make up for the past chapters, but I could be wrong…

I want a wand. I think in having a wand and uttering the magic words, the most sacred words in the universe, great things could happen. World peace would be accomplished and who doesn't like that? Imagine me dancing around with a wand while saying the words you know all too well, ON WITH IT…

EPOV

I strapped Libby into the backseat of the car, as I ground my teeth together. My hands were shaking as I pulled the webbed belt across her tiny chest, making sure the booster seat wouldn't move. Libby needed to be secure because I sure as hell wasn't.

As we drove, Libby was occupied with something, and I kept glancing in the review mirror, trying to figure out what she was doing, "Libby, sweetie, what do you have?"

Libby smiled up at me, and held up her prize, "The charmed bracelet that Mommy gotted me." Libby let it dangle from her tiny wrist as she jingled it. The tiny metal pieces clinked against one another, and when Libby turned her attention back to her first present from Bella, I gazed back towards the road.

Bella had been amazing from the start. Coming to my daughter's party, and buying that bracelet for a child that she barely knew… A present from her own father had turned into a present from mother to daughter. The idea had floored me then, and I was still shocked at how thoughtful Bella could be.

The innocent child in my backseat was getting antsy as we approached Alice and Jasper's home. I knew that Alice would never let Bella go back to her apartment, especially after what had happened to Emmett. Libby began to tug impatiently at the belt buckles securing her in my backseat, "Hey, little miss. No touching those belts until the car is stopped and off, or we will be having a discussion. Got it?"

She crinkled her nose and smiled up at me, her green eyes locking with mine. I could see little dimples forming as her smile grew, and her bright emeralds sparkled with excitement. Libby fidgeted with the edge of her cast, tugging at the purple casing that held her wrist straight, "Daddy, why are we at Aunt Alice's? I thought we were getting Mommy?"

I shut off the engine, and turned in my sit, locking eyes with my four year old, "Mommy's here because her house isn't safe, Libby Bug. Aunt Alice is protecting her."

Libby blinked, "Oh, like Mommy protected me and you?"

"Yes, baby, like your Mommy protected us."

Once Libby was unsnapped from the car, she took off towards the front door, and began ringing the bell. Alice appeared at the door, and scooped my daughter up, hugging her close, "Well how did you get here, Ms. Libby? Did you drive? Did your Daddy teach you how to drive?"

I smiled as Alice joked with my daughter. Libby needed that right now, she had been through enough emotional trauma in the past few months to last her a life time, "No, silly willy! Daddy bringed me!"

Alice flashed a smile in my direction, but I could tell that it didn't reach her eyes, "Libby, honey, go get Mommy. She's in the potty. Go beat on the door until she comes out, okay?"

My daughter was off in a flash as soon as her feet hit the pavement, and the dark haired pixie started towards me. I lifted my hands in surrender, but should have known better then to leave myself unprotected.

Alice's palm hit my right cheek, and I hissed in pain. When my hand jerked up to cover the handprint, she reared her other right hand up, and slapped my left cheek, "Oh look, now you have matching asshole stamps on your face!"

I grimaced, Alice's temper was worse than anyone I had ever met. I should have known that she would never let me leave without showing her anger physically. I had hurt her best friend, and regardless of my intention, Alice would forgive Bella before she forgave me.

"Why did you leave, Edward? Do you not want this baby? Because I swear to God, if the answer is no, Alice, I don't want my child, then you'd better scurry back to your car. I won't be the only who beats your ass!"

I opened my mouth to speak, and Alice slapped my cheek again, and the first two seemed like love taps compared to the blow she just dealt me, "Alice! Stop fucking hitting me!"

"Then get your dumb ass in there, and get Bella out of the bathroom! She loves you, Edward, but right now I'm not sure why." Alice turned on her heel and sped off toward the inside of the house. I fanned my cheeks, not wanting Libby to question the red handprints that now decorated my face.

My feet were full of lead as I walked towards the house. I should never have left Bella alone in that hospital, with our child. Walking out had never been my best option, and I had never been one to walk away from my problems.

I grimaced when I realized that I had referred to Bella as a "problem." She had never been a problem, although I wished she had. Problems didn't leave; they stayed until you fixed them. Twisting the bronze handle, I pulled open the swinging glass door. My shoes clunked across the tile floor as I walked down the decorated hallway of Jasper and Alice's extravagant home.

The walls were lined with vases from God knows where, decorative candles and baskets laden with flowers filled the entrance with an enticing smell. When I glanced further down the hallway, I saw Alice with her face pressed against the wooden door, and my daughter was nowhere to be found, "Alice, where is Elizabeth?"

Alice smiled, "She's in the bathroom talking to her Mommy. Come here and listen." Her voice was no louder than a whisper, and as I pressed my ear against the door, I heard my daughter and her mother, talking in soft undertones.

"Mommy? Why did you leave me and Daddy? We missed you tons and tons. Daddy was super sad, and sick. But when you came back, he laughed! His laugh was lost Mommy; did you take it with you?"

Rustling clothing suggested that Bella pulled my daughter on her lap, and I could hear the crinkling of what sounded like a brush making contact with tangles in wet hair, "Yes, baby, Mommy took Daddy's laugh. She loved it so much that she couldn't leave without it, so she took it."

"But why, Mommy? Daddy's laugh is pretty! It makes my belly tickle when he laughs, like squirmy worms are crawling in it. It makes me smile lots! So why'd you take it?"

"Because Mommy was being selfish, Baby. She left with Daddy's laugh, and she wasn't going to bring it back?"

I could almost picture Libby squinting her eyes in concentration as she tried to decode Bella's cryptic message, "You were gonna leave forever?"

Bella sighed, "I was going to, but not anymore, peanut. Mommy's here to stay."

"Promise?" I closed my eyes and smiled. Whenever Libby asked,"Promise?" she'd extend a pinkie. Her Uncle Emmett had taught her how to pinkie promise when my mother took her to visit him after his stay in the hospital. He'd made her pinkie promise to visit him again, and Libby had kept that promise.

Bella's lips made a kissing sound, and I knew that my angel had pressed her lips against Libby's cheek, comforting her daughter like only a mother could, "I promise, Libby Bug."

BPOV

I gathered Libby up into my arms, and she felt so perfect there. I knew that no matter what happened from here on out, a piece of my heart would always belong to this little girl. A piece of her would always belong to me and she would always be mine…in some sense, at the very least.

When I opened the door from the bathroom, I found Edward standing there; close enough to have been able to hear everything that we had said. A few steps behind him was Alice, leaning against the wall.

I looked up into his eyes and muttered a "Hi," before walking past him, dropping my eyes to the floor.

"Hey, sweetheart, do you want Mommy to make you some lunch?" I asked as I sat Libby down on the couch.

She nodded her head so fast, her curls bounced with the movement. "Mommy, can I have s'ghetti?"

Only a four year old would ask for spaghetti for lunch, I thought, as I smiled to myself. But of course I couldn't deny her anything, so I asked Alice if she had the ingredients, and she did.

I maneuvered myself around her kitchen like a pro, after all I had done my fair share of cooking for Alice in the past and knew where things in the kitchen were, probably better than Alice did. In their house, if they didn't eat out, Jasper was the chef.

I filled the pot up with water and set it on the stove to boil as I broke the noodles in half to fit them in the pot. As I started to heat the sauce in the microwave, I could feel the presence of someone else in the room. Had it been Alice, she would've made her presence known.

"What do you want, Edward?" I asked, getting tired of his back and forth attitude.

"Bella, we really need to talk."

I whirled around to look at him, "No shit, Edward. I really can't keep up with you!" I told him, exasperated. "You love me, you ignore me, you love me again, and then, when you find out I'm going to have your baby, you run away from me!" I said in a raised voice, but not loud enough for Libby to hear out in the living room.

"Well, you're an expert on the subject of walking out, aren't you?" he retorted, as he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Yes, I'm so sorry I left you at the most terrifying moment of your life. I'm sorry that when you told me that you were having my baby, I ran away from you," I spit back at him. "Do you have any idea what that felt like?" I could feel the tears coming to my eyes and I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. "I had never felt more alone in my life than the moment you walked out of that hospital door. You don't have to be part of this," I told him, my arms circling around my stomach, "but I thought it was right for you to know."

With that, I turned around, as my tears started to spill down my face, and took the sauce from the microwave before getting out a strainer for the noodles.

"Bella, I…" but he stopped. There was nothing he could say. He just left the two words hanging in the air.

"You what? Is there anything you even have to say?" I asked, shaking the noodles in the strainer.

"There's so much I need to say. I just don't know how. You have to believe me. I didn't walk out of that office because I didn't want to have a baby with you. Please," he begged, his hands going to my hips. I hated the way my heart sped up even at this simple touch, "Just let me talk to you. Tonight. We can talk without Libby's little ears, and Alice's hard hands. Just you and me, talking, because there are some things that seriously need to be discussed."

I let out a sigh and my chest seemed to relax. "Alright, tonight then. But I swear to God, if you get up and leave, I'm not giving you another chance. I love you, but that doesn't mean I have to like you. No running from this apartment tonight."

"That won't be a problem," he said backing away from me. "I'll be taking you out to dinner tonight. So if I run from the apartment, you'll be running with me."

After serving Libby her lunch, I pulled Alice aside to talk to her. "Alice," I said, once I had effectively closed the door to her and Jasper's room. "He's taking me to dinner. What the hell am I going to wear? I don't have any clothes here!"

"Bella, let me worry about that. And I'll pick up some more things for you when I take Libby to the mall tonight," she smiled at me.

"You're taking a four year old to the mall? Again?" I asked with a laugh.

"Yes. For your information, some people enjoy shopping with me," she giggled before sticking her tongue out at me. "Now, go talk to Libby while I lay an outfit out for you."

I went back out onto the patio to find Libby and Edward sitting at the table. Libby was giggling as she attempted to aim a forkful of spaghetti into Edward's open mouth.

It was an adorable sight and I hoped beyond hope that I would have Edward in my life and in my baby's life. He was an excellent father; there was no doubting that, but the rest of his 'people skills' needed an adjustment.

Libby seemed excited to be going shopping with Alice when I had sat down at the table to join them. Apparently too much of her energetic aunt was rubbing off on her, a fact that was a little scary. I would have to limit "Alice time" once the baby was born.

But that would be a while yet. The doctor said I was due in April, so I had months ahead of me to adjust to my growing belly and unusual cravings. All of these things I had never stopped to think about before. I had never slowed down enough to think about having a family of my own, but now that I did, I liked it. I liked all of it. I wanted the big tummy and the maternity clothes (that Alice would have to okay); I wanted to go cradle shopping. I wanted to see Charlie hold his grandchild for the first time, and watch his eyes twinkle.

Oh God, Charlie. Ugh, the holding I wanted to see. Me telling him that I was pregnant; that was an entirely different story.

EPOV

The spaghetti sauce smeared against my lips as Libby missed her mark. Her fork clattered down onto the plate as she erupted into giggles, her hands covering her laughing mouth. Standing slowly, I walked towards her and pulled out the patio chair. Kneeling, I grasped her t-shirt in my hand, and when I moved to wipe my mouth of, tiny hands grabbed my hair, "Daddy! What are you doing!"

I knew the shirt was one of her favorites, and as my mouth drew ever closer, Libby shrieked for her mother, "Mommy! Daddy's gotta saucy face! Make him stop!"

Bella's voice was terse when she spoke, and it turned me on to no end. Like she was commanding me, "Edward Cullen. If you wipe your face on your daughter's shirt, so help me God!"

"Our daughter, Bella. Our daughter." It felt right, and as I stood to grab the napkin from the table, I heard Bella's sharp intake of breath. Was it just occurring to her that I had called Elizabeth ours? She was ours. Bella had protected her like a mother should, regardless of her intentions. She had left once, I had left once, and I was done leaving.

"Ya Mommy! I'm your daughter too!" I lifted the napkin to wipe my daughter's face off, gently cleaning the corners of her mouth, unwilling to look at Bella, afraid that if I gazed too long, she would disappear. She would realize that this wasn't where she wanted to be, and she would leave.

Her soft, warm hands tugged the napkin from my grip, and she began to wipe Libby's face. When I lifted Libby out of the chair, I gave her simple instructions to wash her hands in the sink. As Libby scurried across the patio, I looked up at Bella who had a frown on her delicate features, "What's wrong, love?"

I settled my hands on her hips, my eyes settling on hers. As I rubbed soothing circles against the soft material, Bella reached her hands up to stroke my cheek. Her fingertips traced over the shell of my ear, before tugging on the lobe. Skittering her fingers across my cheek, Bella swiped her thumb across my lower lip. She broke the silence, when she pressed herself against my chest, and whispered, "Do you mean it?"

My voice seemed to have left me, but I kissed her soft brown hair, letting my lips linger longer than necessary. When I could speak my voice came out just as quietly as hers had, "I do."

Bella pulled away from my hug, and I could see she had tears in her eyes. When I reached out to comfort her, she backed away slowly, "I'm going to go get ready, okay?"

Nodding, I dropped my hands to my side, slipping them into the pockets of my jeans, "Don't be long. I love you."

She nodded, and disappeared into the house. I stood in silence, gazing down at the gorgeous patio. Alice and Jasper had done quite well for themselves, having managed to buy a house two years before they married. Jasper had confided in me that he couldn't wait to be a Daddy, have a "Libby" of his own. I had been shocked to hear how laid out their future seemed to be.

According to Jasper, he and Alice were trying for a child. He wanted a little girl, a Daddy's girl, just like the one I had. Libby was my little blessing, he'd said, I want one just like her.

The sliding glass door opened, and Libby wandered out, a glass of chocolate milk in her tiny hands, "Look, Daddy! Chunka Monk!"

I smiled at my daughter. She had always called chocolate milk, "chunka monk," no one was sure why, but it was a habit she'd had since she could talk, "How'd you get chocolate milk, honey?"

"Mommy got it for me before she went to change. Aunt Allie was YELLING!" Libby's voice rose as the sentence ended, and I winced at the noise. I wasn't sure how a baby would adapt to having a sister as noisy as Libby could be sometimes, but if any child could, it would be mine and Bella's.

Libby clambered up into my lap once I sat down on the patio table, sucking her milk through a crazy straw. Would this baby be able to bat its eyes at me? Make me melt with just one look? Libby had gotten anything she wanted, within reason, but it had been hard to say no.

When the glass door slid open again, my jaw dropped, and I had to grab Libby's hand to keep her from dropping the glass and spilling milk all over my pants, "Daddy! Mommy looks hot!"

Bella's blush was as red as the jacket she was wearing, and Alice stood by her side, looking quite proud of herself. Big black buttons decorated the designer outfit, and it was tied across her front. Loose black slacks hung loosely from Bella's legs. After brushing Bella's pants off one last time, Alice gestured for my daughter, "Come on, Libby Bug. Let's go shopping!"

My child scrambled off of my lap, running towards her aunt. I noticed that the straw was in her mouth as she was running, and that was a no-no, "Elizabeth Grace, hand your aunt that glass. Now."

"But Daddy! I was just sipping!" I narrowed my eyes, as I stood, moving towards the tiny creature.

"Give. Me. The. Glass. Now." Libby burst into tears, fat droplets spilling from her eyes, as she clutched the glass tightly against her chest, shaking her head, no. I kneeled in front of her to pry the cup from her hands, and she continued to sob, but this time, Bella didn't step in.

When I turned to glance at her after taking the cup away, Bella was watching Libby with a stern expression. It was obvious that she too had been worried that Libby was running with the plastic in her mouth. I sighed, and walked towards the kitchen, as Libby began to stomp her feet pathetically.

I poured the dark liquid in the sink, listening to my daughter's anguished sobs. She wanted someone to hold her, but I knew that if I gave in, she would walk all over me, forever. I felt a small hand in the middle of my back, gently rubbing my tense muscles. I hated telling my daughter no.

Bella kissed the back of my neck softly, her hands moving up to rub my shoulders soothingly, "You had to tell her no sometime, Edward. She's going to hurt herself if she misbehaves."

"I know, love. It's not fun, though."

I turned, and Bella pressed her lips against mine, quickly, before turning towards the patio, "Alice, tell Libby if she wants to say goodbye, she'd better come now. We're leaving."

Bella's voice seemed to have a note of finality to it because Libby walked slowly towards the two of us. She gripped Bella's legs and hugged her close. Bella leaned down to kiss the top of our daughter's head, and I heard her whisper something, before Libby walked towards me, and jumped for me to catch her, "I'm sowwy, Daddy."

"It's alright, little love. Just be careful, we've been to the Emergency Room too much lately, okay?"

Libby nodded, and kissed the side of my mouth quickly, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"Well hopefully that gives us minimal options," Libby giggled, and moved towards Alice, who practically shoved us out the door.

"Don't worry, Edward, she's in good hands. Have fun you too!"

The car ride there was short, and quiet. I let my hand rest on top of Bella's and she didn't move it. I felt like a high school boy on his first date, unsure of what I should do, or how I should act, just in case her father owned a shot gun. I glanced at Bella's profile, as the word father flashed in my mind, "Bells? When would I get to meet your father?"

Bella stroked my knuckles, giggling softly, "It's like you read my mind, Edward."

It was nice to have contact with her again, and I sighed, realizing how much I missed it. As I parked the car in front of the little Italian restaurant, Bella spoke again, "I was thinking after filming is over? I shouldn't be showing too much then, and he could meet you, and maybe get to know you before he kills you."

She opened her own door, and my face dropped. I had wanted to help her out, just like old times, but it was obvious that nothing would ever be the same again. I stepped out, and we walked together, and stood close before we were seated.

"Do you think he'll like me?" My brown haired angel smiled from across the table, her hand reaching forward to grasp my fingers.

"I'm sure he'll love you, Edward. Silly boy."

I groaned, my head racing, "You know what that means, right love?"

Bella shook her head, her smile dropping, "Your dad owns a gun, doesn't he?"

BPOV

Not only was it true that my father owned a gun, it was more than likely that he would be using it on Edward, once I had told him that I was pregnant, and Edward was the father…and we weren't married. Oh boy, I had a feeling I would be putting off that conversation as long as possible. But I wouldn't worry Edward with that tonight.

The night started out with Edward and I talking pleasantly to one another about nothing in particular. He asked how the film was going and how Jasper was, and he filled me in on his adventures at med school. I wasn't sure what to think about that. Obviously I was extremely proud of him, and if he gave us another go (which it seemed like he would), it was far safer than his previous career. A plus was the thought of Edward in a doctor's coat with no shirt and a stethoscope around his neck, resting on his chiseled chest.

I got swept up in that little fantasy for a bit too long, not even noticing how I was staring at his closed shirt until he called my name. I looked up at his face to see an amused expression there. "Do I bore you?" he asked in a tone that said he knew he didn't.

"No, I was just thinking about you and all the naughty nurses you'd probably have," I laughed, though the fear was real. I briefly wondered how Esme had put up with what I'm sure was countless women throwing themselves at her husband. I almost sighed.

"Actually, there's only one woman I'm interested in having be my naughty nurse," he said, stroking my hand with his as he raised his right eyebrow and that crooked smile decorated his lips. The man sitting across from me was without a doubt, the most delicious specimen on the face of the earth.

The waiter cleared his throat, giving me a chance to break eye contact with Edward, a feat I could never accomplish on my own. We ordered our dinner, and as we ate the real talking began.

"Bella," he started in a serious tone, letting me know we were about to begin the descent into our conversation. "Why did you walk out? Was it really because I called Libby mine and not yours? She is yours. I was just frustrated at the time, and I'm so sorry, but I didn't think that it was quite so momentous as to be a reason for leaving."

The pain was evident in his eyes as he stared at me deeply, looking for an answer. I knew we were trying to fix things, that we were going to start over and rebuild, so I had to come clean. I had to tell him my reasoning, though I doubted he would ever be able to fully understand it.

"Edward, while what you said involving Libby did hurt me, it wasn't the reason for my leaving. I used that as an excuse to do something I had been planning on doing. While we were in Hawaii, when I heard the news of Emmett being hurt in my apartment, I realized what danger I was putting you and Libby in. I didn't want to do that. I didn't want the ones I loved most to be hurt because of me. When we fought, I knew that if I didn't do it then and there, that I would never be able to do it. So I left you. I left you to protect you," I sighed, "but in the end, you got into more trouble than if you would've stayed with me in Hawaii."

"While I appreciate your concern for me and our daughter, I was hired as your bodyguard for a reason. I am the one that is supposed to be doing the protecting, not you," he reminded me.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I was so empty without you." I had never planned on telling Edward how much our distance had affected me, not wanting to come off as clingy, but I couldn't help but tell him, and the moment I saw his eyes gleam I knew it was the right thing to say.

"When did you find out you were pregnant? I mean how long did you wait before coming?" he asked, his eyes dropping to his plate as he scooted the food around with his fork.

"I had Alice get tickets as soon as the tests read positive," I admitted.

His head snapped up so fast, he dropped his fork and his eyes settled on mine. "Really?" he asked the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile and I could see the mist of tears in his emerald eyes.

I picked up his hand and kissed his palm before laying it back down. "Really," I told him, smiling as warmly as I could. Thank God I had done something right in the mess that I had made.

"Now," I stared, "why did Carmen come back?" I asked, trying not to spit out her name. I'm not sure I succeeded with that and by the smile on Edward's lips when I said her name, I suspect I didn't.

"Carmen claimed she wanted to be a part of Libby's and my life again. I was furious! I told her to get out of my house. I knew she just wanted us because she had seen us in some tabloid with you. She is not the kind of women Libby needs in her life…or I need in mine, for that matter," he answered.

Alright, I liked that, but there was a bit more I wanted to know about her being there. "So…" I dragged the word out and it was now my turn to play with my food as I ignored eye contact. "Did anything happen between the two of you?" I couldn't even help the blush that rose to my cheeks as I asked. "I mean, we weren't together and you have history, and I saw how gorgeous sh…" I rambled on but Edward put a finger to my lips and cut me off. Again even that small touch did amazing things to my body.

"Shhh…Bella," he said so softly and gently that I was completely aroused by it for some reason and couldn't help but kiss the finger placed there.

He let out a quiet noise and it was music to my ears. How long it had been since I've heard any kind of sound of pleasure from Edward?

Before I could even think about doing it, I closed my mouth around his digit and sucked it in until I hit his hand. I just wanted to do anything in that moment to hear a sound of pleasure from him. And I wasn't disappointed. He let out a soft moan, and I closed my eyes as I pulled my head back.

When he opened his eyes, they were slightly glazed over and he cleared his throat before taking a drink of water.

I instantly blushed, muttering an "I'm sorry" before clearing my own throat and proceeding with an, "I'm sorry, you were saying?"

"Ah, right… Well, she tried to do something, but I stopped her. So nothing really happened, no," he explained.

I thought about that for a moment. "When you say she 'tried to do something', what exactly do you mean?" I asked a little warily.

He leaned closer to me over the table so he could talk quieter. "I mean, she tried to give me a blow job," he whispered across the table. I could feel my face drop and I'm sure it looked even worse. "But I pushed her away. Bella, I don't want anyone but you, please believe that," he pleaded with me.

I did believe him and I knew I still loved him. But there was a lot we needed to get through before we could move forward. We were doing that one step at a time. It would be especially difficult for me, trying to refrain from things like the finger sucking that had just occurred, but I think we had to do it. We couldn't just pick up where we left off, and we couldn't jump into things (which unfortunately included our beds) either, but in the end, we would be better off for it, of that I was sure.

EPOV

Bella's finger sucking, God, it made me ache... The only thing I could do was to inhale deeply to try to calm myself. It had aroused me to no end, but I knew that we had to keep things slow. Last time, we'd jumped in head first, and that hadn't ended well.

I had to keep myself calm as I relived the incident with Carmen. As far as I knew, she was in prison awaiting trial, but she had enough money to make bail. It was possible that she'd try to come back soon; I knew that I needed to speak with Bella about housing arrangements.

"Bella, I needed to ask you something; it's very important, so please let me finish before you ask any questions. Will you agree to let me speak my mind, before interrupting?" I winked at the end, which caused Bella to roll her eyes. She nodded, so I spoke again, "I want you to move in with me."

When she opened her mouth, I jerked my body forward, leaning across the table to press my lips against hers. After kissing her, I blew against her lips, "Sssh, you agreed to let me finish, love."

She nodded, jaw clenched as I spoke again, my hand gently stroking her soft cheek, "I think it would be a good idea to buy a new house. It's only a matter of time before Carmen makes bail, and I want to get Libby away from that house long before then."

As Bella pursed her lips, I watched her nod slowly, having agreed with my previous statement. "Bella, I would be the luckiest man in the world if you moved in with me. I need you, our daughter needs you. We can pick out a house together, a place where we can raise our children."

I reached my hand across the table, and grasped Bella's cold fingers. She smiled, looking up at me from beneath her long eyelashes. Gorgeous eyes gazed into mine, and she nodded slowly, "Yes, Edward. I'll move in with you."

"Really?"

My tone was astonished, and Bella smiled, nodding slowly, "Yes, silly boy. I'll move in with you. I was thinking the same thoughts earlier, but I didn't know how to ask you. I mean, we lived together before," Bella waved her arms around, gesturing wildly, "all of this happened, so I think we should be fine in our own house."

Smiling, I nodded, "Our house. The house we pick out together, but here's the thing- we need to find it fast, before go back to Hawaii. I don't want Carmen anywhere near our empty house while we're gone, so it would be best to list it for sale immediately, and find a new one. I'd like to have one under contract before we leave."

Bella gasped, her fingers tightening around mine. She seemed shocked at how fast I wanted to sell my house, "Edward, so soon? And you're coming to Hawaii? Are you sure?"

"I've never been so sure about anything else in my life, except for you." She blushed, her fingers pulling away from mine. I locked my eyes with hers, trying to catch any signs of uncertainty. I wouldn't pressure her into this; I just hoped she would agree.

"Good. I want you with me. I want a home with you, and our daughter. I just need you close to me."

The music of the small restaurant grew louder as we finished our meal, and I stood, offering my hand to Bella, "Would you like to dance, love?" Bella blushed, shaking her head quickly, "Please?" I pouted, and she groaned softly, before grasping my hand. I pulled her toward the dance floor as the music changed.

Hold me, hold me,
Never let me go until you've told me, told me,
What I want to know and then just hold me, hold me
Make me tell you I'm in love with you.

Bella giggled as I kissed her neck softly, our bodies swaying with the music. Her wrists linked around my neck, her head thrown back as she laughed.

Thrill me, thrill me,
Walk me down the lane where shadows will be, will be
Hiding lovers just the same as we'll be, we'll be,
When you make me tell you I love you.

"Can you thrill me, Edward?" I chuckled. I gently skimmed my hands along her hips, tickling the area with the tips of my fingers, and she shivered in my arms.

They told me be sensible with your new love,
Don't be fooled thinking this is the last you'll find.
But they never stood in the dark with you love,
When you take me in your arms and drive me slowly out of my mind.

"Kiss me, Edward, please. I need to feel your lips on mine." I dipped my head forward, moving my lips across hers, tasting the divine treat that I had missed for weeks. She tasted even better than I remembered, and as I gently sucked at her lower lip, she moaned softly, parting her lips. I let my tongue dive in to taste hers, and as we danced slowly, the music faded into the background.

Kiss me, kiss me,
And when you do I'll know you that you will miss me, miss me,
If we ever say adieu so kiss me, kiss me,
Make me tell you I'm in love with you.

So we're finally getting somewhere! I bet you guys are happy beyond belief to get past all the leaving and leaving, and leaving….anyways, I was just saying that you must be ecstatic to be getting past the hatin' and into the lovin (wiggles eyebrows suggestively…that makes me feel like Emmett). Well, until next week (actually this week, but whatever),

Much love and even more writing,

ashel-13

Tada! The song is Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me by Mel Carte. I heard it the other night at work, and it reminded me of the girlfriend, thus the strategically placed lyrics. So guys, they're together. AWESOME!

So I've decided that I don't want to go to class ever again, who's with me? Any takers? Okay then… Yesh, you don't have to be so silent.

Any questions? Good. I'm off to listen to the High School Musical 3: Senior Year soundtrack. I'm writing an article on it for the paper… HELLS YES!

See you soon,

Hayden